Jean-Luc du Preez’s verdict on ‘unreal’ Springboks as Sale Sharks star still hopes to earn a recall
Jean-Luc du Preez admits the prospect of playing for the Springboks again is “always at the back of my mind”.
Sale Sharks forward Jean-Luc du Preez admits the prospect of playing for South Africa again is “always at the back of my mind” as the Springboks bid to seal the Rugby Championship this weekend.
Durban-born back-rower Du Preez has represented his homeland at various levels and won 14 senior caps, although he is not currently part of their squad.
Last June, the former Sharks forward, who plays at Sale with twin Dan and elder brother Rob, was part of a 40-man training squad for the 2023 Rugby Championship.
Springboks’ unreal loose forward depth
At 29, Du Preez has plenty of years ahead of him and he has not given up hope of wearing the famous Springboks jersey again.
The son of former Sharks coach and South Africa scrum-half Robert du Preez told Planet Rugby: “It’s always at the back of my mind.
“But for now, I want to play well for Sale and hopefully, if something comes from that, then I can reap the rewards.
“The loose forward depth in South Africa is unreal, though, so trying to get into that squad is really tough.
“I was there last year, though, so, like I say, I just need to do my best for Sale and hopefully something will come of it.”
Du Preez’s pedigree is undeniable, having played at representative level from a young age before making his Springboks debut in 2016.
“That was definitely the proudest moment of my career thus far,” he remembered with a huge smile.
“I think I only got two minutes but it was so special.”
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On Saturday, Argentina secured a dramatic 29-28 win against South Africa to stop the world champions from winning the Rugby Championship title with a game to spare in Santiago.
Rassie Erasmus’ side would have secured this year’s crown with a victory and Du Preez was glued to his television set the night before helping Sale to a 12-11 win in their Premiership opener against Harlequins on Sunday.
“I’ve been following the Rugby Championship and the Springboks are a hard team to beat,” he added.
“Argentina came up with an unbelievable game on Saturday night and I thought the way they stayed in the fight was really good.
“I don’t want to say it – but it was kind of like South Africa’s B team – so hopefully this weekend they can get the win.”
“Hopefully the Boks can see the job through”
The defeat was South Africa’s first in five games in this year’s Rugby Championship, which also includes New Zealand and Australia, but they remain top of the table on 19 points.
Victory over second-placed Argentina, who have 14 points, this weekend would see the Springboks secure a first title win in the competition since 2019.
Du Preez said: “The Rugby Championship is on the line now so hopefully the Boks can see the job through.”
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Jean-Luc and his brothers are extremely close and spend plenty of time together away from the rugby pitch.
“It’s great playing with my brothers at Sale,” added Du Preez, whose twin is currently sidelined by injury.
“I take it for granted most days but it’s always special sharing the field with them.
“Robert and I played on Sunday against Harlequins and Dan should be fit in about four weeks, so hopefully all three of us will be selected for his first game back.
“As brothers, we’re very close and, growing up, my father instilled in us the importance of family.
“We all live pretty close to each other in Manchester and have regular family meals every week or two.
“Dan lives about eight minutes from me and Rob is about twenty minutes away.”
Sale can go all the way
Sale reached the Premiership final in 2023 but lost to Saracens and then crashed out in the semi-finals against Bath last term.
But Du Preez declared: “I definitely think we can go all the way this season.
“Of course we aspire to do that, otherwise what’s the point in being here?
“Going one better than two seasons ago is definitely our main goal.”
Sunday’s opening win over Quins was not pretty on the eye but four penalties from England fly-half George Ford saw Sale home.
Du Preez reflected: “It definitely wasn’t pretty and I think we made it difficult for ourselves at times.
“In this weather, we focus on getting tighter to the ball but it was the first game of the season and we won so that’s all that matters.
“The guts and determination the boys showed was immense.”
